Musical instrument.



No. 694,589. Pmqteu Mar. 4, 1902.

w. VAN NETTE MUSICAL INSTRUMENT (Application filed Dec. 1, 1900.)

(No Model.) 4Sheets-Sheet I.

- WITNESSES} INVENTOR W M Shana ATTORNEY Tm: nonms PETERS 60.. PNOTOJJ'VHJ, WASHINGTON, o. c.

P tehtaumar-A, 1902. W. VAN NETTE MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

(Application filed mm. 1. 1900.

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WITNESSES wag N0.694,589. Pmmu Mar/4, I902.

. w. v n NETTE. MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

(Application filed Dec. 1, 1900.)

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(No Model.)

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No. 694,589. v I Patented Mar. 4, m2. w. VAN NETTE.

MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

(Application filed Dec. 1, 1900.) v

4 Sheets -Sheet 4L (No ll odel.)

IN'VENTOR -2 ATTORNEY UNITED STATES PATENT OF ICE.

WESLEY VAN NETTE, OF POPLAR, OHIO.

MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of ,Letters Patent NO. 694,589, dated March 4, 1902.

Application filed December 1,1900. Serial No. 38,298. (No model.)

T0 aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WESLEY VAN NETTE, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Poplar, Crawford county, State of Ohio,.

have invented a new and useful Musical Instrument, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part thereof.

My invention relates to improvements in musical instruments of the stringed variety, in which a series of pickers for the strings are arranged to be operated from a keyboard which is fingered or manipulated like that of the ordinary piano.

In this class of instruments, the principal difi'iculty found to exist in the successful use of a picker to set the strings in vibration, instead of a hammer as in the piano, is the necessity of returning the picker, after having been operated to pick or snap the-string, to its initial or starting position without again touching said string, as, in the latter event, thevibration of the string would be impeded and the harmony of sound destroyed;

It has, therefore, been the principal object of my invention to provide a simple and effective means for properly controlling the'movement of the pickers whereby possibility of their striking against the strings when being returned to their starting position after snapping or picking the same as referred to is'pr'evented.

A further object of my invention is to improve the general construction and operation of the several parts forming an instrument of this character, so as to render the same more effective and desirable for the purposes intended.

In carrying myinvention into effect, I provide a casing of suitable design in which is located a harp-shaped stringed instrument which Iterm a harp, a keyboard of usual arrangement as in the ordinary piano, a series of pickers arranged to be operated from said keyboard to pick or snap the strings and produce any desired harmony of sound, and a damping mechanism for the strings, the whole forming what may properly be termed a piano-harp.

The novel construction and combination of parts embodying my invention will be hereinafter set forth in detail-and pointed outin the claims.

In the accompanying drawing: Fig. l is a and broken away, and with the top removed from the case, which latter is that of the ordinary grand piano. Fig. 1 is an enlarged vertical crosssection of the action case taken through line 1"---'1 of Fig. 1. Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan View of certain of the parts broken away, showing the relative arrangement of the strings, pickers, keys, and a portion of the damping mechanism. Figs. 3and L are enlarged detail views illustrating the movement of the pickers relative to the strings. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the harp and a part of-its adjusting mechanism removed from the case. Fig. 6 is a detail view showing the connection between the foot pedals and certain parts of the harp and damper adjusting and operating mechanisms, and Fig. 7 is a detail viewto be hereinafter referred to.

To explain in detail: 1 indicates the outer or main case within which the several parts of the instrument are contained and support- .ed. This case may be of any suitable design and construction, but the same as indicated in the drawings is like that of the ordinary grand piano. A harp, comprising a sounding board2 with strings 3 stretched over the same, is supported within the lower part of this case l, while at the front of the latter and in position above the harp is located the action case which carries the keyboard, pickers, dampers, and other operating parts of the instrument. This action case, which consists of the end pieces 4, 4, united bya number of connecting rails and boards, has a hinged connection at its rear end with a part of the case 1, in a manner as will hereinafter be described, whereby it may be swung upward so as to render the several parts carried thereby, and also the harp, easily accessible for the purpose of repairing, adjusting, or.

, as will hereinafter be described.

Each of the blocks 5, in the present instance shown, is pivotally supported by a pivot pin 9 between the projecting ends of two plates 10, 10, secured on the opposite sides of a bar 11. This bar 11, which I term the pickerblock bar, is pivoted at its rear end upon a rod 12 between two cars 13, 13, whereby its front end with the supported picker-block 5 may be capable of a vertical movement. A coiled spring 14, connecting at one end with a pin 15 on the bar 11 and at its opposite end with a pin 16 on the upper end of the block 5, acts to yieldingly hold the latter in a normal stationary position relative to said bar by holding an upper extension 5 of the block in contact with the front cushioned end of a block 17 which is secured on the bar 11, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 3. A second coiled spring 18, connecting at one end with a pin 19 secured in the action case and at its opposite end with a pin 20 on the bar 11, acts to yieldingly hold the latter and the connected picker-block 5 in a normal raised position with the picker 6 above the string 3.

On the rear side of the block 5 is secured an arm 21 which rests, when the block is in its said normal raised position, upon the raised front end of a spring arm 22, which latter is attached at its rear end to a strip 23 on the under side of a cross rail 24. Said spring arm 22 is provided with a vertically disposed bend or offset 25 therein at a point adjacent to its front end forminga catch and guide which is adapted to engage with the end of the arm 21 at a certain time in the operation of the parts and control the movement of the block 5 and its supported picker 6, in a manner as will be described.

In the operation of the instrument, the operator, in depressing one of the keys 7 from its normal raised position, as indicated in Fig. 3, thereby lowers the bar 11 and its connected block 5 through the medium of the rod 8 until the said bar comes in contact wit-h the upper cushioned surface of the rail 24, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 3 and by full linesin Fig. 4. The picker 6 has now reached a position in front of the string 3, as indicated by dotted linesin Fig. 3, and, upon the continued downward pressure of the key, the block 5 is caused to rock or swing on its now stationary pivot 9 and move the picker 6 across the string 3 as indicated in Fig. 4 and pick or snap the same. During such time as the block 5 is being depressed from the position indicated in full lines in Fig. 3 to that shown in dotted lines, the springarm 22 yields downward under the pressure of the engaging arm or projection 21 of said block as indicated by dotted lines in said Fig. 3. hen the block is rocked on its pivot, however, the end of the arm 21 is swung backward off the front raised portion of the spring arm 22 and thereby allows the latter to spring upward with its catch portion 25 engaging the said arm 21, as shown in Fig. 4c. \Vheu the operator now releases the key and the latter is raised with the connecting parts, the end of the arm 21 on the block 5 rides up behind the vertical catch portion 25 of the spring arm 22 and thereby causes the picker 6 to be held back and away from engagement with the string 3 until it'reaches a position above the same, at which time the end of the arm 21 rises from engagement with the catch portion 25 and permits the lower end of the block to be rocked forward under the action of the spring 14 to return the picker to its initial position forward of the string. In this manner the movement of the block 5 is so controlled that the return of the picker to its initial or starting position, after having been operated to snap the string, is effected withoutliabilityofits touching or striking against the latter.

In order to allow for the free movement of the key 7 and block 5, which parts swing in different arcs, the connecting rod 8 is provided with an enlarged head 8 at each end thereof, as most clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4, one of which loosely engages with the inner side of a plate 27 on the under side of the key 7 through an opening therein, and the otherloosely engages with the inner side of a spring plate 28 on the block 5 through a slot or opening therein. Such form of connection insures the free action of the connected parts, but any other suitable means of connection other than that shown and described might be employed without departure from the invention.

The keys 7 are held in a normal raised position with their top surface in engagement with the lowercushioned edge ofthe name-board 29 by means of coiled springs 30, which latter, as clearly shown in Fig. 1, are seated within a supporting rail 31 with their upper end bearing against the under side of the keys. A cushioned rail 31 located beneath the keys 7 receive the contact of the latter when depressed.

The picker-block bars 11 are each held against lateral displacement and guided in their up and down movements by means of plates 32, 32, which are supported upon the rail 24: and extend upwardly between each of the said bars, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2. In order to permit these bars 11 being readily removed from and placed into position for the purpose of adjusting or repairing any of the parts carried thereby, I have slotted their rear ends, as at 11 in Fig. 1, where by they may be readily slipped on or off their pivot supporting rod 12, the same being removably held on the latter by means of the springs 18. As a means to prevent any undue noise or rattle of the block 5 on its pivot pin 9 at the forward end of the bar 11, I have seated a spring 33 between the parts which acts to hold the block in contact with its pivot IIO fandpreventundue movement or rattleof the shown, comprisesa band 34 which embraces the said picker 6 and an extension "of the block 5 and is provided with a clamping screw 35for securing the picker in adjustable clamped position.

inclosed in a fold of felt .or similar material i. 43 andcarries a damper pad 45 atits lower end for contact with the string,- as.clearly..

36 for. the purpose of deadening any sound.

of the same after snapping the strings. The inclosing felt alsopermitting any movement 0r adjustment ofthe-pickers without contact with their holding or supporting parts.

The damper mechanism for eachof the strings is as follows: A bell-crank lever 37 is pivotally connected with a bracket 38 on the. rail 24 and is arranged with one arm ex- I tending into engagement with, a cushionon the under side of the picker-block carrying bar;1 1, and its other arm having connection, through the medium of a string, wire, or other flexible connection 40, with theverticalarm of a second belLcrank'lever 41, which latterv is pivotally connected with a bracket,42 on a rail 43 and has connection atf the end of its horizontal arm with a vertically sliding frame 44 whichoperate's through openings in the rail shown in Fig.1. In. the operation ofthe instrument, when a key is depressed, the pickerblock bar 11 in being lowered thereby acts upon the engaging lever. 37 and rocks the,

same on its pivot, which action of said lever.

causes the second lever 41 to be also, rocked on its pivot through the medium of the con-. nection 40 and thereby raisethe damper pad a 45 from contact with the string.- The dam per-.

pad is held in such raised position by the bar 11 until the pickerhas been operated to snap: the string, after which, as the key-isreleased.

and the said bar 11 returned to its normal raised position, the damper-pad is permitted to again drop into contact with the string anddamp the same. As a means for adj usting the vertical position of thedamper-pad relative to the string, I have provided the le: ver 41 with an, adjusting-key 46 with which one end of the string .40 isconnected. B y

turning this key inthe proper direction to single hinged. frame which may be operated.

by any suitable means to raise and lower all These pickers are eachshown in Fig.1.

, means of a pivot screw or bolt 56; ward end the said actioncase is supported in vertical position by means of twoscrews 57,1. 57, which are carried in lugs 58, 58, "on the of the dampers in unison andindependent of the action of thekeys The means as herein shown for controlling the movement ofthe said damper rail 43 is as follows: A rockershaft 47 is journaled at its opposite ends in theact-ion case frame and provided with two arm 4 47, which extend at their front end beneath the rail 43 and are, provided with antifriction rolls 48 for; engagement therewith, as most clearly shown in Figs. 1 and '6.

A third arm 49 of this shaft 47 is connected through themedium of a pit-man rod 50 with" a foot-pedal 51, from whichlatter the operator may rock the shaft 47 to effect the raising and lowering of the rail 43 and connected dampers, as desired. 7, As a means to adjustthe rail 43 with itsconnected dampers-in a' lateral directionrelative to the strings, I

have attached said rail to its end supports 43',

43,.by screws 77, 77, and provided the same withelongated slots 78,78, therein (see Fig.

6) through' which the said fastening screws extend.

-. The main orjouterlcasing 1 is provided with two castings'53, 53, seated and made fast therein vadjacent to its opposite ends, as

clearly shown in detail in Fig. 7, are each These castings, as most theaction case is-pivotallyconnected by At its fortoo ends 4,4,..of the action case with their lower ends resting upon a supporting surface 59 of.

the castings 53, 53. Byturning these screws 57 in the properdirection, the vertical positionof. the action case, may be adjusted as desired.

A horizontal orbackward and forward ad-- justment of the blocks 55, 55, with the sup-v porting pivot screws 56, 56, which may be adjusted tovdrawthe action, case back andforth in such direction. These several adjustments of the action case are ,providedforin order .that the pickers carried-thereby maybe adjusted to their proper. ,position relativef'to the. strings oiithe harp.-

shorten or lengthen the said-string, the-posh A further adjustment bathe pickers relawhich the picker-blocks 5 are, held by the springs 14,. By adjusting the position of thesestop blocks 17 back and forthonthe obvious. Adjustment of thesestop-blocks 17- is permitted by means of the elongated opentive to the strings is secured by the block 17 r on the bars 11 which forms the stop. against ings therein, indicated by dotted lines in the drawings, through which the fastening or clamping screws 17 extend.

The harp, according to my invention, coinprises the sounding board 2 having a light metal frame or band 2 (which is preferably formed of steel) fitted around its outer edge with a flange or extension 2" thereof projecting over its upper surface, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. Secured upon the said flange portion 2 of this-steel frame are the tuning keys 3 for the strings, which keys, as herein shown, are the same as the so-called patented keys ordinarily used on guitars and similar instruments. Thebridges3overwhichthestrings are stretched are located upon the sounding board adjacent to the said flange 2 of the frame 2. A harp constructed in the manner as thus described can be made very light, as'

the steel frame provides sufficient strength to carry the strain of the strings, thereby allowing the sounding board to be made verylight, and furthermore, the steel frame and steel strings being connected are effected alike under varying weather conditions, thereby preventing the strings from readily getting out of tune.

The harp has a hinged or pivotal connection at its rear side with the main case at 63, and adjacent to its front side and at opposite ends thereof is provided with two plates 64, 64, attached thereto which are engaged by supporting and adjusting screws or eccentrics 65, 65, which latter are each mounted in a rotatable but vertically stationary position in an extension 66 of the castings 53, 53, as most clearly shown in Fig. 7. The screws or eccentrics 65, 65, are provided with rigidly connected lever arms 67, 67, which are united by a pivotally connected rod 68. By moving this rod laterally or in a longitudinal direction the screws or eccentrics 65, 65, will thereby be caused to receive a partial turn and so raise or lower the harp relative to the pickers whereby the strings may be snapped to produce any desired forte or pianissimo, it being understood that the pickers will engage the strings with more or less pressure or force according to the relative positions of the same.

In order to obtain the proper variation of sound as the harp is raised or lowered, it is necessary that the left or bass end should be moved to a greater degree than the other or treble end. To provide for such difference in movement, the lever arm 67 at the bass end is shorter than the other so thatits movement when operated by the rod 68 will be greater and so give its connected screw or eccentric a correspondingly greater turn to increase the vertical movement of such end of the harp accordingly.

The rod 68 may be operated from foot-pedals to raise or lower the harp as desired by any suitable means, the means as herein shown being as follows: Two pivoted levers 70, 70, connected with pedals 71, 71, through the medium of rods 72, 72, are arranged with one end in position to engage with a pin 73 on the rod 68, which latter is yieldingly held in a normal central position by means of two pivoted levers 74, 74, which engage with the opposite sides of the rear end of the pin 73 and are connected at their free ends with coiled springs 75, 75, which are attached to a part of the main case 1. By such arrangement and combination of parts, when the operator presses upon one of the pedals, the end of the connected lever 70 is moved into engagement with the pin 73 and forces the rod 68 laterally in one direction and against the pressure of the opposite spring 75 to thereby either raise or lower the harp. When the operator thereafter removes his foot from the pedal, the said opposite spring which has been put under tension acts to automatically return the rod 68 and connecting parts to their normal position.

Having thus forth a practical embodiment of my invention, I do not wish to be understood as confining myself to the particular details of construction and combinations of parts as illustrated and described, as the same may be more or less materially modified without departure from the spirit of my invention.

What Iclaim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is r 1. In a musical instrument of the class described, the combination, with the keyboard and strings, of a series of pivoted blocks carrying pickers for the strings, movable supports for said blocks,means forming an operative connection between the blocks and the key-board independent of the block supports, and means for controlling the movement of the blocks and preventing contact of the pickers with the strings during their return movement after having been operated to snap the latter, for the purpose set forth.

2. In a musical instrument of the class described, the combination, with the keyboard and strings, of a series of pivoted vertically movable blocks carrying pickers for the strings, movable supports for said blocks, means forming an operative connection between the blocks and the key board independent of the block supports, and means for controlling the movement of the blocks and preventing contact of the pickers with the strings during their return movement after having been operated to snap the latter, for the purpose set forth.

3. In a musical instrument of the class described,'the combination, with the key-board and strings, of a series of pivoted bars yieldingly held in a normal stationary position, a series of pickers pivotally supported by said bars and having operative connection with the keys to be operated thereby, means for limiting the downward movement of said bars prior to the engagement of the pickers with the strings, and means for controlling nection with the keys to be operated thereby,

and strings; of a seriesof pivoted bzirs'yield-Q mea'ns for limiting the downward movement of said bars prior to the engagement of the pickers with the strings, and means for con-f trolling the movement of the pickers and pre:

venting contact "of the samewith the strings when being returned to their initial position, for. the purpose set forth. I

5. Ina musical instrument of theclass de-I; scribed, thecombination, with the keyboard ingly. held in a normal stationary position, a series :of blocks carrying pickers pivotally supported-by said bars and'arranged' to be operated from the keyboard, means for yieldingly holding said blocks ina normal stationaryposition relative to their supporting bars, means forlimiting thedownwa'rd movement of the'bars prior to the engagement of the'pickers with the strings, and means for controlling the movement'of'the pickers and preventing contact of the same with the strings when being returned to their initial position, for the 'purpose'set forth.

6. In a musical instrument of the classdescribed, the combination, with the keyboard andstrings, of a seriesofpivoted bars yieldinglythe'ld in a'normal stationary position and having removable connection with their pivot support, aseries of blocks carrying pickers pivotally supported by said bars and arranged to 'be operated from the keyboard, means 'for limiting the downward movement of the bars prior to the engagement of the pickers with the strings, and means for controlling the movement of the pickers and preventing contact of the same with the strings when being returned to their initial position, for the purpose set forth. I

7. In a musical instrument of the" class described, the combination, with the keyboard and strings, of a series of pivoted-bars yieldingly held in a normal stationary position," a series of blocks carrying pickers pivotally supported by said bars and arranged to be up erated from said keyboard, an antirattle spring seatedbetween'said' blocks and their supporting bars, means for limiting the downward'movement ofthe bars prior to the engagement of the pickers with the stringsfand means" for controlling themovement' of the pickers and preventing'contact of the same with the strings when being returned to their initial position, for the purpose set forth.

8. In a'musical instrument of the class described,thecombination, with the keyboard and strings, of a series of pivoted bars yieldingly held in a normal stationary position and having removable connection withtheir pivot support, a spring for removably holding said bars in connection with their pivot support, a series of blocks carrying pickers pivotally supported by said bars and arranged'to be operatedfrom the keyboard, and means for controlling the movement of the pickers, substantially as and for the purpose set'forth. I 9. In a musical instrument of'the class describe'dfthe combination, with the keyboard and strings, of a series of pivoted barsmovably held in a normal stationary position, a series of blocks carrying pickers pivotally supported by said'b'ars and having operative connection with thekeys to be operatedthereby,moan s for controlling the movement of the pickers, and means for adjusting the position of the blocks relative to their supporting bars and thereby the position of the pickers relative to the strings, for the purpose set forth,

10. In a musical instrument of the 'cla'ssdescribed, the combination, with the keyboard andstrings, of a s'eries'ot' pivoted bars movably'held in a normal stationary position, a series of blocks carrying pickers pivotally supported by said bars and having operative connection with the keys'to be operated thereby, adjustable stop blocks located 'on' said bars,means for yieldingly holding said pickerblocks in contact with said stop-blocks, and means for controlling the movement of the pickers, substantially as and for the purpose set forth. r

11; In a musical instrument of the class described, the combination, with the key-board and strings, of a series of blocks provided with pickers having operative connection with the key-board to be operated thereby, movable supportsto which the picker blocks are pivoted, and means for engaging with the picker blocks or a part thereof when moved in one direction, retaining such engagement and guiding the same relative to the strings during their return movement, and subsequently disengaging therefrom, substantially as and for the purpose set forth. Y

12. In a musical instrument of the class described, the combinatiom'with the keyboard and strings, of a series of"vertically movable pivoted blocks carrying pick'ers'for the strings and arranged to be operated from the said keyboard,and a movable arm'havin'g a] catch projection for engaging with said blocks or a part thereof when moved in" onedire'ction and guiding'the 's'ain'eduring their return movement past the strings, for the purpose set forth. I

' 13. In a musical-instrument of the class described, thecombin'ation, with the keyboard and strings, of a series of vertically'movable pivoted'blooks carrying pickers for'the'stri n gs and arranged to be'operated from the said keyboard, and a spring arm having acatc'h projectio'n'for engaging with saidblo'cks or a part thereof when moved in one direction for adjusting the vertical position of said acand guiding the same in their return movement, for the purpose set forth.

14. In a musical instrument of the class described, the combination, with the keyboard and strings, of a series of vertically movable bars, a series of blocks provided with pickers supported by said bars and having oper-' ative connection with the keys, and a damper mechanism, comprising a series of damper pads, and a series of levers having an operative connection with the latter and arranged to be operated by said picker-block supporting bars, for the purpose set forth.

15. In a musical instrument of the class described, the combination; with the keyboard and strings, of a series of vertically movable bars, a series of blocks provided with pickers supported by said bars and having operative connection with the keys, and a damper mechanism, comprising a series of damper pads, a series of levers operated by said picker-block supporting bars, means, including a flexible cord or wire, forming an operative connection between said levers and damper pads, and means for adjusting the length of said cord, for the purpose set forth.

16. In a musical instrument of the class described, the combination, with the keyboard, strings, and means operated from the keyboard for engaging with said strings, of a damper mechanism for the strings, comprising a movable rail, a series of frames supported to slide in said rail and provided with attached damper pads, means forming an operative connection between said damper pad frames and the keyboard, and means for moving said rail with the connected dampers, for the purpose set forth.

17. In a musical instrument of the class described, the combination, with the keyboard, strings, and means operated from the keyboard for engaging with said strings, ofa damper mechanism for the strings, comprising a hinged rail or support, a series of frames supported to slide in said rail and provided with attached damper pads, means forming an operative connection between said sliding damper-pad frames and the keyboard, and a pedal having connected means for raising and lowering said rail with the connected dampers, for the purpose set forth.

18. In a musical instrument of the class described, the combination, with the main case, of an action case havinga hinged connection adjacent to its rear end with said main case, and means for adjusting the vertical position of the action case relative to the main case, for the purpose set forth.

19. In a musical instrument of the class described, the combination, with the main case having contained therein a stringed instrument comprising a sounding board with strings stretched thereover, of an action case provided with a keyboard and a series of pickcrs supported in said main case, and means tion case with its supported parts relative to the said stringedinstrumentin the main case,

for the purpose set forth.

20. In a musical instrument of the class described, the combination, with the main case having contained therein a stringed inst-rument comprising a sounding board with strings stretched thereover, of an action case provided with a keyboard and a series of pickers supported in said main case, and means for securing a backward and forward adjustment of said action case with its supported parts relative to the main case and the stringed instrument therein, for the purpose set forth.

21. In a musical instrument, the combination, of the main case, two plates or castings connected with said case and provided with horizontally adjustable blocks connected therewith, and an action case having a hinged connection adjacent to its rear end with said adjustable blocks and supported in a vertically movable position at its front end upon said plates or castings, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

22. In a musical instrument, the combination, of the main case, two plates or castings connected with said case and provided with horizontally adjustable blocks connected therewith, and an action case having a hinged connection adjacent to its rear end with said adjustable blocks and adjacent to its front end provided with adjusting screws or pins resting upon stationary supports, for the purpose set forth.

23. In a musical instrument, the combination, with the main case, and an action case supported by the latter provided with a keyboard and a series of string engaging devices arranged to be operated from said keyboard, of a stringed instrument, comprising a sounding board with strings stretched thereover, supported in the main case below the action case, screws engaging with said stringed instrument, and means for operating said screws to raise and lower the stringed instrument relative to the string engaging devices, for the purpose set forth.

24. In a musical instrument, the combination, with the main case, and an action case supported by the latter provided with a keyboard and a series of string engaging devices arranged to be operated from said keyboard, of a stringed instrument, comprising a sounding board with strings stretched thereover, having a hinged connection at its rear end with the main case, screws engaging with said stringed instrument at its front end to support and vertically adjust the same, and means for operating said screws for the purpose set forth.

25. In a musical instrument, the combination, with the mainlcase, and an action case supported by the latter provided with a keyboard and a series of string engaging devices arranged to be operated from said keyboard, of a stringed instrument, comprising a sound ing board with strings stretched thereover, having a hinged connection at its rear end with the main case, screws engaging with said stringed instrument at its front end to raise 'Witnesses:

and lower the same, each of said screws be- J ASPER VANNETTE, ing provided with a lever-arm, one of which ISHMEL HUSHOUS.

is shorter than the other, a rod connecting said lever arms, and means for operating said 1 0 rod, for the purpose set forth.

WESLEY VAN NETTE. 

